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CVE-2026-14895 BAKERSCOT CVE debrief

CVE-2026-14895 is a regular expression denial of service vulnerability in String::Util versions before 1.36 for Perl. The vulnerability exists in the trim and rtrim functions, which can cause CPU exhaustion when processing a string with a long run of whitespace. This can lead to denial of service. The fix replaces the vulnerable regular expression with a more efficient one. The vulnerability has a high defensive priority, and developers and administrators using String::Util versions before 1.36 for Perl should be aware of this vulnerability and take steps to mitigate it.

Vendor
BAKERSCOT
Product
String::Util
CVSS
HIGH 7.5
CISA KEV
Not listed in stored evidence
Original CVE published
2026-07-07
Original CVE updated
2026-07-08
Advisory published
2026-07-07
Advisory updated
2026-07-08

Who should care

Developers and administrators using String::Util versions before 1.36 for Perl should be aware of this vulnerability and take steps to mitigate it. They should review the official advisory or CVE record for more information and implement rate limiting on CPU usage. The vulnerability has a high defensive priority, and defenders should prioritize updating to version 1.36 or later.

Technical summary

The trim and rtrim functions in String::Util versions before 1.36 for Perl use a regular expression that can cause quadratic backtracking when processing a string with a long run of whitespace. This can lead to CPU exhaustion and denial of service. The fix replaces the vulnerable regular expression with a more efficient one. The vulnerability has a high defensive priority, and it is recommended to update to version 1.36 or later. Defenders should review the official advisory or CVE record for more information and implement rate limiting on CPU usage.

Defensive priority

High

Recommended defensive actions

  • Update String::Util to version 1.36 or later
  • Limit input length to trim and rtrim functions
  • Implement rate limiting on CPU usage
  • Review compensating controls for exposed systems while remediation is scheduled and verified
  • Check relevant monitoring, detection, and logs for exposed assets that need extra review
  • Track exceptions, retest remediated assets, and close the item only after evidence is documented
  • Confirm whether affected product deployments exist in managed environments and assign an owner for follow-up

Evidence notes

The CVE record was published on 2026-07-07T23:16:54.293Z and has not been modified since then. The NVD entry is currently Received. There is limited information available about the vulnerability, and defenders should verify the affected scope and severity with the vendor. The vulnerability exists in String::Util versions before 1.36 for Perl, and it is recommended to update to version 1.36 or later. The CVE record does not provide additional details about the vulnerability, and defenders should review the official advisory or CVE record for more information.

Sources and references

Verified primary and authoritative sources

  • CVE-2026-14895 CVE Program record

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-14895

    CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.

  • CVE-2026-14895 NVD vulnerability detail

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-14895

    NIST National Vulnerability Database - Official NIST NVD detail page and source-specific vulnerability assessment.

Supplemental references

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://github.com/scottchiefbaker/String-Util/commit/f8150867aaeb8f57c59601aefb2193f2caed8745.patch

    9b29abf9-4ab0-4765-b253-1875cd9b441e

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://github.com/scottchiefbaker/String-Util/releases

    9b29abf9-4ab0-4765-b253-1875cd9b441e

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://metacpan.org/release/BAKERSCOT/String-Util-1.36/diff/BAKERSCOT/String-Util-1.35

    9b29abf9-4ab0-4765-b253-1875cd9b441e

Methodology and review provenance

AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.